Chennai Plans Two New Flyovers to Ease OMR Traffic Bottlenecks

To ease persistent traffic snarls on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Chennai is gearing up for two new flyovers at SRP Tools Junction and Perungudi, aimed at offering signal-free turns for vehicles coming from Velachery. These ₹90-crore projects are designed to run alongside the Metro Rail Corridor 3 (Madhavaram–Siruseri), currently under construction.

The flyover at SRP Tools Junction will be 760 metres long and feature a unique double-bent design with two 90-degree turns. It will allow motorists from Velachery to take a left, then a right, and land near LB Road in Thiruvanmiyur, bypassing traffic signals. Vehicles headed toward Thoraipakkam will also benefit from a direct, signal-free right turn. The flyover will have two lanes and be constructed above ground, while the metro rail line remains underground at this stretch.

The second flyover will come up at Apollo Hospital Junction in Perungudi. Measuring 615 metres in length and 5.5 metres in width, this one-and-a-half-lane structure will allow free right turns for vehicles coming from Velachery and Dr. Ambedkar Law University onto OMR. Constructed under the raised metro rail viaduct, this flyover is challenging in terms of engineering because of the restricted space available on MGR Road and the necessity of placing the ramp carefully without hindering current traffic.

Now, those who turn right at this intersection are compelled to make a left turn, travel 500 metres, and perform a U-turn a manoeuvre which jams traffic, particularly in the monsoon. The new flyovers want to do away with this diversion and sharply curtail congestion at the major choke points.

CMRL officials confirmed that no land acquisition is needed, allowing construction to begin swiftly after bids are finalised. Designs have been prepared in consultation with the traffic police to ensure smooth integration.

However, some residents worry that congestion could worsen in the short term during construction, especially with Metro work already in progress.